Wine - the nectar of the gods - is one of life's great pleasures especially when shared with family and friends. The best way to learn about it is to take a wine course and learn about the basics including different varietals, the world's wine regions and how to pair with food. Vancouver offers a range of wine courses as well as a tasting society dedicated to BC Wines. This new year take the exciting step of learning more about this wonderful drink.
UBC Continuing Studies-Understanding Wine: An Introduction
Head back to school for fun evenings learning about wine at the University of British Columbia. Yes-you are required to drink different wines thru-out the class. This course is perfect for the beginner to elementary wine enthusiast. Starting February 5th, the wine course is held on consecutive Friday evenings from 6:30pm-9pm until March 4th at the downtown UBC Robson Square campus. The course is also offered at the UBC Point Grey Campus starting on March 1st and held on consecutive Tuesday evenings until March 29th.
Cost: $442.00 includes course materials and set of six professional wine-tasting glasses.
The two most recognized and important wine professional programs, the WSET (Wine Spirit Education Trust) and the ISG (International Sommelier Guild) are both offered in Vancouver. Dreamed of becoming a sommelier or a Master of Wine? Start with the beginner courses of either the WSET or ISG. Be warned, the love of wine is a passionate study and may lead you on the full road to becoming a sommelier. Note: no wine experience or knowledge is necessary for the beginner levels of both programs and are perfect for those starting to learn about wine.
Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts: WSET Wine Courses
The WSET courses offered at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts are taught by Vancouver's DJ Kearney who is also a wine writer, judge and classically trained chef. Starting February 4th, the WSET Level 1 course is held on consecutive Thursday evenings until March 10th from 6pm-9pm, with the final exam being held on the last class.
Cost: $499.00 plus additional fees for materials, supplies and exam.
Fine Vintage Ltd-WSET Courses. Owned and operated by James Cluer who is a Master of Wine, Fine Vintages offers the WSET Level 1 course, as a one day course on both Saturday, January 23rd and February 14th from 9:30am-5:30pm. The course is taught by local wine expert, Lynn Coulthard. The Fine Vintage WSET courses are run at the BCIT downtown campus.
Cost: $349.00. Includes the WSET exam, instruction, spirits and all study materials.
Vancouver Community College-Wine Sommelier
In partnership with the International Sommelier Guild (ISG), Vancouver Community College offers the ISG course Wine Sommelier 1 starting on February 9th and held on consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6pm-9pm until March 29th.
Cost: $600.00 plus tax. (includes textbook, wines, examination and all materials.)
A fun way to learn about BC wine and discover your favourites is to join the British Columbia Wine Appreciation Society which holds monthly tasting events, special wine dinners and even wine tours to the Okanagan. Anyone who is of legal drinking age is welcome to join and membership is only $40.00 for the year. The society's first event for 2016 is the Break your Resolution Party held on January 22nd from 7:30pm-9:30pm. The event features an excellent line-up of BC wines from over 10 wineries including Black Hills Estate, Blue Mountain Winery, Fairview Cellars and Painted Rock Estate Winery as well as cheese and meat platters from Les Amis du Fromage. Cost of the event for members is $49.00
